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Tallboy 4 stem length

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Tallboy 4 stem length

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flag roskobosko
Posted: Sep 12, 2020 at 14:46 Quote
I've been riding a TB4 for a couple of months and would like to experiment with a shorter stem length to move my body position a little more towards the center of the bike and add a little back curvature for a more upright riding position. I'm wondering what a reasonable starting point would be for experimenting with a shorter stem - I currently have a 50mm Aeffect 35 stem. I'm thinking maybe 35 mm, possibly as short as 25 mm. I'm too far forward on steeper descents and when pedaling out of the saddle with loss of rear wheel traction on very steep power climbs.

I'm basically riding the TB as an AM fun bike with some urban riding as well to build skills - bunny hops, manuals, etc, just goofing off.

TIA
flag sandiegotrent
Posted: Sep 12, 2020 at 16:57 Quote
roskobosko wrote:
I've been riding a TB4 for a couple of months and would like to experiment with a shorter stem length to move my body position a little more towards the center of the bike and add a little back curvature for a more upright riding position. I'm wondering what a reasonable starting point would be for experimenting with a shorter stem - I currently have a 50mm Aeffect 35 stem. I'm thinking maybe 35 mm, possibly as short as 25 mm. I'm too far forward on steeper descents and when pedaling out of the saddle with loss of rear wheel traction on very steep power climbs.

I'm basically riding the TB as an AM fun bike with some urban riding as well to build skills - bunny hops, manuals, etc, just goofing off.

TIA

I can't speak for the Talboy but I sized up on the Hightower (ordered/waiting for delivery). While I'm 6'1", I only have a 32" inseam. I'm all upper body so I like a bigger cockpit. The reach on the new hightower is 18mm longer than my 2016 Bronson but reach isn't the whole picture. I would rather have a bigger bike and shorten the stem, slide the saddle a bit forward to make up the distance than be crammed into a smaller bike.

Tl;dr - yes, this is what I'll do if my new bike feels too big.

Newer bikes seem to want you a bit more forward than older bikes. This is more pronounced on Yeti (in my opinion), but seems to be a trend with the bike geometries changing.

Ordered my Hightower CC XX1 AXS Reserve over a month ago. Another 45-50 days likely. Ugh!
flag roskobosko
Posted: Sep 12, 2020 at 19:49 Quote
sandiegotrent wrote:
roskobosko wrote:
I've been riding a TB4 for a couple of months and would like to experiment with a shorter stem length to move my body position a little more towards the center of the bike and add a little back curvature for a more upright riding position. I'm wondering what a reasonable starting point would be for experimenting with a shorter stem - I currently have a 50mm Aeffect 35 stem. I'm thinking maybe 35 mm, possibly as short as 25 mm. I'm too far forward on steeper descents and when pedaling out of the saddle with loss of rear wheel traction on very steep power climbs.

I'm basically riding the TB as an AM fun bike with some urban riding as well to build skills - bunny hops, manuals, etc, just goofing off.

TIA

I can't speak for the Talboy but I sized up on the Hightower (ordered/waiting for delivery). While I'm 6'1", I only have a 32" inseam. I'm all upper body so I like a bigger cockpit. The reach on the new hightower is 18mm longer than my 2016 Bronson but reach isn't the whole picture. I would rather have a bigger bike and shorten the stem, slide the saddle a bit forward to make up the distance than be crammed into a smaller bike.

Tl;dr - yes, this is what I'll do if my new bike feels too big.

Newer bikes seem to want you a bit more forward than older bikes. This is more pronounced on Yeti (in my opinion), but seems to be a trend with the bike geometries changing.

Ordered my Hightower CC XX1 AXS Reserve over a month ago. Another 45-50 days likely. Ugh!

I don't feel like sliding the saddle forward will be beneficial, gonna try a shorter stem and maybe a riser bar, just not sure where to start, I probably need to discuss with a bike fitter
flag Banda18
O+
Posted: Sep 15, 2020 at 3:28 Quote
You will feel a difference going from 50mm to 35mm. It is a good place to start if you think you are too stretched out. Swapping stems is an easy change and certainly isn't permanent. Easy to go back to the original, or even try a 3rd option.

I have short legs and a long torso and almost never fit a bike right the first time. I have had to swap stems on just about every bike I have ever had.
flag roskobosko
Posted: Sep 17, 2020 at 15:37 Quote
Banda18 wrote:
You will feel a difference going from 50mm to 35mm. It is a good place to start if you think you are too stretched out. Swapping stems is an easy change and certainly isn't permanent. Easy to go back to the original, or even try a 3rd option.

I have short legs and a long torso and almost never fit a bike right the first time. I have had to swap stems on just about every bike I have ever had.

Just added a few spacers to raise the handlebar height, see how that goes, then possibly look a shorter stem &/or a riser bar. Thanks.
flag gusto1975
Posted: Apr 26, 2021 at 6:42 Quote
I have both 35mm and 50mm.

50mm gets the weight forward and steering slows down a bit compared to the 35mm

Best thing to get weight forward is to flip chainstay chip to long
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